Because brave is the new beautiful.

Red Balloons & Finding Meaning.

A year ago, I attended a coaching workshop where I was asked to close my eyes and envision how I wanted to feel around a specific situation or challenge I was facing.

I was standing at the precipice of launching 52 Dares. I’d hired my web designer and was a couple of weeks away from getting started. I was excited and nervous and keeping-it-all-in.

So, naturally, I went there.

As our guide (whose presence was so enveloping that I could have lingered there forever…) led us through the visualization, she asked us to notice any image or words that came up.

At first, I fumbled around a bit, as I often do. But then, suddenly, there they were: big, red, lofty balloons floating up towards the sky.

(This is where the music screeches to a halt.)

Red balloons? Huh?!

Initially, it didn’t make any sense. Except for when it comes to shoes and cars, or the very-specific shade of candy-apple red, I’m not a huge fan of the color. I don’t dislike it, but I would have chosen perhaps turquoise or hot pink had I left it to my left, thinking brain.

But this is why I love guided imagery or any creative, non-linear-thinking exercise. What pops into your head might seem odd or meaningless. Until you sit with it a bit, get curious, and let the message unfold. And so I did.

I took out my notebook (yes, I’m one of those write-it-all-down-types), and started to write the words that came to me. Red = love and passion. It’s fierce and impactful. And balloons = so light and playful and un-tethered.

AH, yes.

That was exactly how I wanted to feel, especially as I engaged with this project. I wanted to offer ideas – big, bold bursts of love. Invitations to pick your head up from the daily this-is-just-how-things-are and see the beauty and possibility right here. And I wanted to be unattached to how they were received, or which ones landed with whom.

Because I can get all caught up in trying to do it right, or wondering what people think, or how I’ll get to the next place.

But then I come back to the balloons. And I am set back on my path.

This is why I believe that we need creative processes in our lives. It is from them that we make connections – and we see things with more lucidity and dimensionality than we previously did.

Within it, we find meaning.

And it’s this meaning that guides us, and inspires us, and connects us to a greater source of energy and love.

So whether you get out your old journal and start writing again, or pick up your camera and go snap photos, do something creative this week.

Let yourself fall into the rhythm of it until you’re transported elsewhere. And see what opens up for you.

xo.

PS – if you haven’t already, mosey on over to our Facebook page! Lots of daily inspiration there.

PSS – if you haven’t signed up for the #52DareChallenge — what are you waiting for?!